Sunday roundup means it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on all the news you didn’t hear this week in Hoboken and Jersey City. In Hoboken, the Environmental Services Director sat down with Hoboken Girl to talk flooding, the Hoboken Business Alliance announced Summer Streets is set to continue through all of August, and more. Over in Jersey City, the city debuted a brand new skate park, businesses continue to open and, unfortunately, close, and the school board decided students will not return to the classroom this fall. And, in a welcome development, an emergency grant program will be available Monday for small businesses. Keep reading for all the headlines you missed this week in Hoboken and Jersey City:
13-Year-Old Hoboken Resident Baking Cookies for a Cause
An enterprising young woman is baking up a storm and helping out families in need in the meantime. Thirteen-year-old Hoboken resident Halle Stoffel has a passion for baking, and she’s using that passion to fuel an important mission. Halle sells her baked good at Church Square Park and sends all the proceeds to the Hoboken Community Center, which runs the Hoboken Food Pantry. Come stop by for a sweet treat on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30AM-11:30AM, or swing by the Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays from 3PM-5PM. Can’t make it to the park but want to support Halle? Find her on Facebook and Instagram and make a donation!
Man Found Dead in Hoboken Grand Street Apartment
The Hudson County Prosecutors Office released a press release via Twitter sharing the identity of the previously unidentified man killed late Friday night inside a Hoboken rental building at 300 Grand Street from apparent gunshot wounds. The man is 26-year-old Willingboro resident Marquise Davis. Davis was pronounced deceased by the police at 10:52PM on Friday, August 7th. The official cause and manner of death are pending the findings of the Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. The matter is under investigation by HCPO. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor at 201-915-1345 or leave an anonymous tip here. Stay tuned to Hoboken Girl for updates as this story develops.
New Jobs Added to Hoboken Girl’s Job Board Platform
If you haven’t checked out Hoboken Girl‘s new job board resource yet, and are in the market for a new job, now’s the time!. New jobs and resume resources are added every day and there’s no shortage of clicks to helps you get that next gig. Our job board is a space for all of our readers and business owners to get all the latest local jobs listings as well as feature their candidate profiles/resumes — complete with jobs available by businesses in NJ, NY, and of course — across Hudson County. Applying to any and all jobs is free of charge, and there are also opportunities to sponsor/feature your resume on the site. Click here to apply.
Environmental Services Director Talks Hoboken Flooding
Hoboken Girl caught up with Environmental Services Director Jen Gonzalez this week to get the 411 on just what’s going on with all the flooding in town. Gonzalez dove into a host of topics from infrastructure to basement apartment woes, as well as the City’s response to the consistent problem. According to Gonzalez, “Hoboken has a comprehensive water management plan, and that is in partnership with the state and federal government, as well as with the North Hudson Sewerage Authority. Our plan is called ‘resist, delay, store, discharge.’ The delay, store, and discharge components are what help the city to mitigate rainfall.” Gonzalez also detailed several flood defense defensed projects set to begin construction in the near future. For the full run-down read the in-depth interview here.
Jersey City Students Will Not Return to Classrooms in September
Defying state guidelines, the Jersey City School District Board of Education unanimously approved Superintendent Franklin Walker’s plan to start the school year with 100% remote on Thursday night. New Jersey guidelines current require all districts to have some form of in-person instruction. The decision is also a departure from the district’s earlier plan to allow 33% of students to return for in-person instruction on September 10th.
Superintendent Walker cited the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases nationwide, following reopening phases. “We have seen spikes in cases prompting the government roll back some of the reopening plan, including significantly reducing the number of people allowed in indoor events (from 50) to 25,” Walker said. ” I cannot in good faith ask our employees and children to return to a full in person schedule after Labor day.”
The plan must now be submitted to the state Department of Education for approval.
Emergency Grant Program for Small Business Leases
Attention small business owners in Hoboken and Jersey City! The New Jersey Redevelopment Authority has established a rental assistance program for commercial businesses. Funds will be used to assist tenants and landlords with lease payments up to $10,000. The program is 100% online and funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The online application process begins this Monday at 9AM.
Visit the NJRA website for all the details you need and note both landlords and tenants have roles in the application process. The tenant submits the application and provides the supporting documents. The landlord must be available to validate, receive payment, and confirm grant monies are applied to lease payments. If you have additional questions, email sbleagp@njra.us.
Jersey City Opens Berry Lane Skatepark
With help from the Tony Hawk Foundation, now the Skatepark Project, Jersey City opened a new skatepark on Thursday, the first poured-in-place skate park in Hudson County.
Mayor Steve Fulop and other city officials joined local skateboarders to celebrate the grand opening. “This skatepark is a testament to the city’s resiliency and our commitment to invest in the Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood, as we’ve worked to transform this 17-acre property from polluted brownfields into useable, open space for residents to enjoy,” Fulop said in a statement. “Since opening in 2016, Berry Lane Park has been a premier destination for passive and organized recreation, and we expect this skatepark to be an even bigger draw for our youth and families.”
Stevens Students Back to Campus With Restrictions
Stevens Institute of Technology announced on Monday that only a handful of students can come to campus for the fall semester, with the rest attending classes virtually again. Only first-year students, new transfer students, new graduate students, and returning students who work on campus {e.g. resident assistants, teaching assistants, and Ph.D. students} are permitted on campus.
All on-campus students must be tested for COVID-19 prior to stepping foot on the grounds, face masks are required, and social distancing regulations will be enforced. Only first-year and transfer students can live in dorms, again with restrictions. While there can be no in-person dining, students can pre-order all meals for delivery or pick-up. Athletics will not be competing in fall 2020 but the school’s shuttle service will be operational.
New Petition Demands Governor Murphy Lift Telemedicine Restrictions on Birth Control
Nearly 3,000 people have already signed on to a newly circulating petition, calling on several U.S. governors, including Governor Phil Murphy, to immediately lift telemedicine restrictions on birth control. A recent study showed that 29% of white women, 38% of Black women, and 45% of Latinas are struggling to access birth control because of social distancing.
“The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a massive wrench into an already complex healthcare system and created a new set of challenges for people who need to fill birth control prescriptions,” said the woman who started the petition, Carrie SiuButt, CEO of Simple Health. “Because of this, patients are distressed or suffering in states…where telemedicine regulation is especially restrictive.”
Hoboken Summer Streets to Continue Weekly in August
This week, the Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) and City of Hoboken announced new times and locations for Summer Streets, part of the HBA’s efforts to support local businesses. The programs will have both uptown and downtown locations every week.
The following programs will take place every Thursday and Friday evening in August, from 6PM to 10PM:
- Summer Streets Downtown by Hoboken Terminal on Newark Street from River Street to Hudson Street, Hudson Place from Hudson Street to River Street, and both River Street and Hudson Street from Hudson Place to Newark Street; Hudson Street will be open to traffic but no parking will be permitted
- Summer Streets Uptown 14th Street from Bloomfield Street to Hudson Street; open to pedestrians only
- Slow Streets Uptown Washington Street from 11th Street to 15th Street; parking and deliveries will be permitted on Washington Street with local traffic at 5 MPH
On Saturdays and Sundays in August:
- Slow Streets Downtown Washington Street from 1st Street to 7th Street from 6PM to 10PM; parking and deliveries will be permitted on Washington Street with local traffic at 5 MPH
- Downtown 1st Street from Washington Street to Garden Street will be open to pedestrians only from noon to 10 p.m., no parking will be permitted
- Downtown Waterfront on Sinatra Drive from Newark Street to 4th Street will be open to pedestrians only all day (weekdays will be closed to traffic and parking other than local deliveries at all times through October).
Schedule subject to change, for more information and the most up-to-date calendar of events, go to www.hobokenalliance.com.
Vegan AF Now Open in Jersey City Heights
Vegan AF {which stands for “As F***”- or “Animal Friendly,” according to owners Norma Perez and William Toledo} opened at 291 Central Avenue in the Jersey City Heights in March, just as the city was being shut down. There’s plenty to enjoy on this plant-based menu, from breakfast and brunch {offered all day} to salad and appetizers to dessert. But the real star of the menu? Vegan AF’s 10 signature burgers and Mexican-American fusion options, including burritos, quesadillas, and nachos. Vegan AF is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM-8PM and on Sundays from 10AM-6PM.
Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee Launches Art Box Mural Project
The Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee launch the “Art Box Mural Project” to beautify 15 utility boxes along Washington Street. Budding and established Hoboken artists are asked to submit proposals reflecting the theme of “equality and inclusion.”
“The Arts Advisory Committee is very glad to see this project launch,” said Chris O’Connor, the Chair of the Hoboken Arts Advisory Committee. “This is the first initiative our body has implemented, and we feel the subject matter “equality and inclusion” reflects a core value of our city. This is also an opportunity to beautify and create interest to a very utilitarian object that is found up and down Washington Street. We are excited to have a project that involves so many artists. Our community will enjoy new work from 15 artists who live or work in Hoboken. We are eager to see submissions and hope many artists will apply.”
Selected artists will receive a stipend of $1,250, which includes artist’s fees and materials for painting the utility box. All submissions should be “family friendly,” and can indicate a preferred location. Interested artists must complete an application along with a brief letter of interest. The deadline for submissions is August 11th.
Lucky Honey Bee Brick-and-Mortar Opening August 22nd in Jersey City
{Photo: @theluckyhoneybee}
Eco-friendly candle, soap, and apothecary goods distributor Lucky Honey Bee announced this week that they will be opening a brick and mortar storefront at 487 Palisades Avenue in the Jersey City Heights, right across from Riverview Fisk Park. Lucky Honey Bee, founded by Melissa Glick, is serious about the environment, with a focus on domestically produced wax, ethically sourced oils, and recycled content for packaging. The store will feature products from their own line as well as products from makers that they have worked with over the years at local markets that no longer have the opportunity to sell due to COVID cancellations. Store hours are: Monday-Friday, 11AM-6PM, Saturday, 11AM-6PM, and Sunday, 11AM-5PM. Stay tuned for the store’s soft opening date and stop in for hand-crafted, environmentally-friendly items.
7 Stars Pizzeria Shutters Its Doors
If you’ve walked around Church Square Park lately and noticed 7 Stars Pizzeria looking dark, you’re not alone. TAPinto Hoboken stopped by the pizza shop earlier this week only to find it closed in the middle of the day. The publication has also not received a response to numerous phone calls and authorities stated that Hoboken police visited the shop recently to mediate an encounter between the shop management and the landlord over money. Utilities have also reportedly been cut off. The popular pizza shop is just the latest local restaurant to succumb to the effects of the pandemic.
De-Escalation Training for JCPD Underway, Tomahawk Contract on Hold
Mayor Steven M. Fulop confirmed this week that Jersey City Police Department’s $1 million dollar, dual-pronged de-escalation training program is underway. But, the interactive portion, or Tomahawk training, which had been called into question, is on hold. “We’ve held off on the Tomahawk scenario training, which is really the one that was really being questioned, and some of the public wanted more clarity and the council wanted more clarity so we’ve held off on that and we’re doing now more mediation – basic training,” Mayor Fulop said.
The verbal de-escalation and crisis communication portion of the training is being led by Jack Cambria, a retired Commanding Officer of the NYPD Hostage Negotiation Team. Tomahawk Strategic Solutions was scheduled to follow with a focus on interactive training in hostile situations. The Tomahawk team recently came under fire for its lack of diversity. The mayor, however, did credit them with playing a major role in preventing the December 10th domestic terrorism incident in Jersey City from being an even bigger tragedy.
The interactive training portion of the program will remain on hold until all parties can agree on a vendor.“With regards to the training going forward, we’re going to work with the city council, like we said, and the Black Caucus of Hudson County to make sure that we have a program that everybody feels comfortable with,” Mayor Fulop stated.
Hoboken Approves City’s First Medical Cannabis Dispensary
At its July 14th meeting, the Hoboken Planning Board gave the go-ahead for the first medical marijuana facility in the Mile Square. According to JerseyDigs, Harmony Dispensary will open up shop at 95 Hudson Street. Final plans for the building will keep the brick and arches intact and the property’s entrance will feature a 513-square-foot courtyard complete with an indoor tree and a “take-out” window. A retail dispensary area will occupy the middle of the building, while the rear of the property will sport a “lounge” dedicated to on-site consumption. Harmony will install ventilation with carbon filters throughout the property to eliminate odors. And, the publication reported, a second dispensary could be on its way to River Street.
Jersey City Downtown Co-working Space to Close
Indiegrove, the popular co-working space on Newark Street announced with “pride, gratitude and hope” on Instragram this week that its doors will permanently at the end of September. “I started Indiegrove to create a space for entrepreneurs and independent professionals to work and grow,” founder Zahra Amanpour wrote. “I believe in the power of people and that the best way to build and change communities is from the bottom up.” The space has hosted a multitude of groups and businesses since opening in 2012, starting with entrepreneurs and artists and evolving to serve tech companies and financial firms.
Free COVID-19 Testing Available in Hoboken
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla and the City of Hoboken, in partnership with Prompt MD, will be providing additional free COVID-19 testing at the Jackson Street Gymnasium on August 10th-11th, and August 17th-18th. The pop-up COVID-19 testing site will have the capacity to test up to 350 residents per day, and open to Hoboken residents only.
To receive a test on Monday or Tuesday at the pop-up site with Prompt MD, residents must register online at with the required documentation. The City will pay for the cost of the test for anyone who does not have health insurance.
“Providing a COVID-19 test for anyone who needs it remains at the forefront of our strategy to combat the spread of the virus, and this additional site with Prompt MD will help us meet the increasing demand,” said Mayor Bhalla. “I encourage any Hoboken resident who has recently traveled to a high risk state, or may have been in a situation where an exposure may have occurred, to get a COVID-19 test. Thank you to Dr. Islam, as well as Christine Herman Pipchick and the employees at Prompt MD for working with the City and Director Pellegrini to provide this additional testing.”
Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District Debuts
Canopy by Hilton announced the opening of its first outpost in the New York City Metropolitan Area this week. The Canopy by Hilton Jersey City Arts District boasts close proximity to Grove Street and the PATH Train, and features 211-rooms, including 13 suites and ten deluxe rooms with decor inspired by the local community.
“We look forward to introducing the Canopy by Hilton lifestyle to the Tri-State and immersing locals and guests in the burgeoning neighborhood of the Arts District,” Raviraj Dave, Managing Director and Principal at Three Wall Capital said in a statement. “We’re proud to finally deliver a hospitality product that speaks to the area’s urban sophistication and hope that our opening will serve a reprieve and bring joy to the neighborhood, signaling continued growth and investment in the community.”
Pavana Yoga Sets to Reopen
Pavana Yoga in Hoboken announced an impending soft reopening on Tuesday, August 11th. Now, students can join in-studio and live stream classes. Five months after closing temporarily, Pavana is taking its reopening in stages. The first will include a limited in-door schedule updated weekly. Masks must be worn at all time and classes are capped at eight students with mat markings six feet apart. Pavana also updated its policies and no longer allows walk-ins: pre-registration is required. If attending an indoor class, yogis must sign up at least two hours prior to the start of the class and the studio is enacting a strict cancellation/no show fee for all students who cancel 12 hours before the start of any indoor or outdoor class. A new waiver must be signed before coming back into the studio, and can be found here.
BLVD Luxury Waterfront Apartments Debut in Jersey City
There are some new luxury apartments up for grabs in Jersey City, and right along the waterfront at 401, 425, and 475 Washington Boulevard. Close to restaurants, shopping, and recreation, The BLVD Collection, as the three towers are called, are also near all transport. Meaning residents are just minutes from the Harsimus Cove Light Rail station and a few blocks from the Newport PATH and the NY Waterway ferry. And with 30,000 square feet of amenities {karaoke room anyone?} there’s plenty to entice any apartment hunter.
Another perk? Application fees are waived for all new renters. Hoboken Girl readers can also take advantage of an exclusive offer of $250 off their amenity fees. Virtual leasing is currently available through Matterport 3-D tours and personalized FaceTime tours with leasing specialists are also possible. Call 201-222-6600 or fill out this form to set up your virtual tour. And don’t forget to tell them we sent you for $250 off of your amenity fee!
Sweetgreen Ready to Deliver in Jersey City
After announcing their opening at Exchange Place in Jersey City last December, Sweetgreen, the fast casual salad and grain-bowl-serving chain, the restaurant chain happily reported this week that it will {finally!} be opening the location with a digital-only ordering experience. According to the chain, customers are not permitted to dine in or order on the front line, but should feel free to download the Sweetgreen app and order in advance.
Jersey City Comedy Festival Goes Virtual
Get ready to laugh with some great comics from the comfort of your couch! Art House Productions presents the Virtual Jersey City Comedy Festival live on Zoom from August 12th-15th. This year’s romp will feature over 65 performers and nine different shows, including stand up, improv, and sketch comedy. The audience will help decide industry judges just who served up the most belly laughs with cash prizes awarded. Don’t miss the Jersey Strong Showcase and Character Assassination’s Roast of Harry Potter too! Tickets are $10-$15 with festival passes, which include one ticket to each event, available for $45. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit their website.
Join Us Online for the Hoboken Wellness Crawl
In other virtual news, the Hoboken Wellness Crawl is also headed online this year. Hoboken Girl will donate 20% of all ticket sale profits to the Hoboken Relief Fund. Tickets also support the Hoboken Girl team! Purchase your tickets here today and get set for 30 days of online engagement with Hudson County businesses.
This year’s event kicks off September 13th and will run through October 13th. Crawlers can take advantage of exclusive deals and giveaways via really exciting virtual options {stay tuned for the Jackraffit app} and in-person activities at their leisure. Come help us help our local businesses thrive! Purchase tickets here.
SoulCycle Heads Outdoors in Hoboken
Is a High Line Coming to Jersey City?
There could be a High Line in Jersey City’s future! Local plans to convert the Sixth Street Embankment into the “Jersey City Arts Line” advanced last month when a New York City-based architect unveiled a vision for the space, a long matter of legal dispute.
Swiftly after purchasing the space, Steve Hyman was locked in a legal fight with the city over a definition of the railway to determine who would own it. Denied demolition permits and a number of lawsuits ensued until Hyman’s death last year. At that time, his estate came to an agreement with the city to allow the Albanese Organization of New York to purchase the property in exchange for development rights to build two towers at its eastern terminus near Newport Mall. The two towers that will include 875 residential units and, under the agreement, Albanese will turn over the rest of the land for the development of a park.
Hoboken Rolls out Teen CERT Program
Intrepid volunteer and Hoboken resident, Alison Fung, along with Hoboken CERT coordinators, introduced the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) for the youth of Hoboken. The inaugural class has completed the three week’s of core training and have now moved onto learning about ICS (Incident Command System) and taking online FEMA exams. Upon completion, the class officially becomes licensed under the CERT umbrella. Run by FEMA, Teen CERT trains young people in disaster preparedness.
Hoboken Installing New Parking Technology at Municipal Garages
Next week, the City of Hoboken will begin the installation of new, state-of-the-art parking technology in municipal parking garages. The new system creates easier access to garages for all customers, improves account management for monthly users, and assists residents and visitors with live, real-time counts of available parking spaces. Among the upgrades? License plate recognition cameras; a parking guidance system; an online account portal; an e-merchant validation system; compatibility with ParkWhiz and Spot Hero platforms.
“For the first time since 2001, Hoboken is modernizing our municipal garages to improve the customer experience for both residents and patrons of businesses,” said Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla. “These upgrades will also help our local merchants as they continue their COVID-19 recovery efforts. Thank you to Director Sharp and his staff for their continued efforts at modernizing our parking facilities.”
It will take one-to-two weeks to install the new equipment in each garage, starting with Garage G (315 Hudson Street) during the week of August 10th. Installation in Garage D (215 Hudson Street) is scheduled to begin the week of August 24th, Garage B (28 2nd Street) for the week of September 7th, and Midtown (371 4th Street) for the week of September 21st.
According to the city, permit holders will need to re-verify their license plate and contact information prior to the install date for each garage. Automatic payments in the new system will begin on September 1st for Garage G and D parkers and on October 1st for Midtown and B parkers. Instructions and details from the Hoboken Parking Utility regarding verification and online account setup will be provided on the City’s website and sent via email. Monthly customers will receive an email with login instructions for the new online account and future payments must be made through the new online portal or by check. Click here for more information or call the Hoboken Parking Utility garage office at 201-653-7333.
Is Precious Chinese Cuisine Permanently Closed?
Precious Chinese Cuisine “temporarily” closed for two weeks, but that was months ago when the health crisis started. Now after well over two weeks of no activity at the Washington Street restaurant, residents are left wondering if the eatery will reopen at all. While a posted statement at the storefront, voicemail message, and the restaurant’s Facebook page all still contend that the closing is temporary, the website has been consistently unavailable for weeks. While Hoboken Girl cannot yet confirm that Precious is never to return, we suggest finding a new spot for your favorite take-out, at least for the foreseeable future.
Frank Sinatra Doc Now Streaming on Netflix
Hoboken is known for plenty of things. But being the birthplace of Frank Sinatra probably tops the list. And now the iconic Rat Packer’s life and career are being examined in a 2015 mini-series, now available on Netflix. It’s a first-hand account of the ups and downs of Sinatra’s personal life and musical journey, narrated largely by Sinatra himself {thanks to archived interviews}, as well as his children, ex-wives, and close friends.
The series takes you all the way from Ol’ Blue Eyes’ humble beginnings in the Mile Square, to his rise to fame, to his troubled marriages, and progressive political views. The documentary is centered around Sinatra’s rarely seen {yet very famous} 1971 “Retirement Concert,” in which he chose 11 of his biggest hits to perform that best reflected his life. It’s a great chance for Sinatra stans to learn a bit more about Hoboken’s favorite son.
Got a news tip? Let us know — email us at hello@hobokengirl.com! We appreciate it.
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